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Abstract

Empirical data indicates that work satisfaction has an effect on work attendance,
decisions regarding retirement, general behavioural syndromes indicating a positive
organizational orientation, attempts to influence work situations by means of trade union
activities as well as psychological withdrawal. In the past work satisfaction has been
coupled with individual, group and organizational factors. Increasing attention is
currently paid to the hypothesis that factors within the individual (dispositional factors)
rather than merely the characteristics of the position, affect individuals' work satisfaction.
If locus of control does indeed show a relationship with work satisfaction, it could be of
significant value for any organization, especially with regard to the selection and
development of personnel. Die objectives of this research are to determine whether there
is a connection between locus of control and work satisfaction. The literature study
focussed on conteptualizing work satisfaction and the relationship thereof with locus of
control.
A survey design (correlation design) was used to test the hypotheses of the research. Each
individual in the subject group was tested on two variables simultaneously and the
connection between the measurements that were obtained, was established. The survey
group consisted of 101 senior police personnel of the South African Police Service
(SAPD) in the Marico area. An availability sample was used. Two questionnaires were
used in this research, namely the Locus of Control Questionnaire (LCQ) and the
Minnesota Job Satisfaction Index (Weiss et al., 1976). Statistical analyses were done by
means of the SAS programme. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, product moment
correlations, multiple correlations and canonical correlations were used to analyze
information.
With regard to the level of satisfaction of senior police personnel, they indicated
dissatisfaction with regard to the remuneration that they receive, as well as physical
working conditions, opportunities for promotion, acknowledgement, social status,
supervision-human, as well as supervision-technical. More work satisfaction is
experienced with regard to performance, authority, independence and responsibility. The
results of the empirical survey indicate that there is a moderately negative relationship
between the external locus of control and work satisfaction of senior police personnel.
The canonical correlations indicate that there is a practically significant connection (large
effect) between locus of control and work satisfaction.
In conclusion recommendations for future research are made.